Maharashtra: CM Shinde Faction Likely To Get 15-17 Ministerial Posts, Cabinet Expansion After Aug 1

Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction has reportedly demanded for 20 ministerial post in the Maharashtra cabinet and post deliberations with the BJP high-command

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena fraction will soon take decision on the imminent expansion of the state cabinet which has not taken shape even almost a month after the government led by him and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power. According to sources close to ABP News, over the the last two nights, Shinde has prepared the formula of his cabinet with MLAs' consent by holding a marathon meeting with the leaders of his faction.

It is possible that after August 1, the date of the cabinet expansion will be decided.

Sources have also informed that due to his meetings with MLAs, Shinde has not been able to visit Delhi. The Maharashtra CM was supposed to reach the national capital on Wednesday. His engagements in the national capital have not been disclosed.

Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction has reportedly demanded for 20 ministerial post in the Maharashtra cabinet and post deliberations with the BJP high-command, the saffron party has agreed to allot 15-17 berths to them.

Sources also informed that the final date of Maharashtra cabinet discussion will be decided when CM Shinde visits Delhi. This will be the fifth visit of Shinde to Delhi after assuming the charge of the CM.

Several ministers in former CM Udhhav Thackeray-led Cabinet are most likely to get berth in incumbent government's cabinet and new minister will also be included. Meanwhile, the MLAs who will not get the post of minister will be given the post of chairman in the corporation, sources said.

He had gone to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders after taking oath as Maharashtra CM post a high-octane political drama in the state resulting in collapse of Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

In another visit, he met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with a breakaway group of 12 MPs of Shiv Sena. He had also attended the swearing-in ceremony of Droupadi Murmu as the President. Fadnavis had earlier said that the new council of ministers will be formed soon.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had taken potshots at the new government over the delay in the allocation of portfolios.

(With inputs from Ganesh Thakur)